1958 Chrysler New Yorker Emerges From Long-Term Storage, It's a Fabulous Survivor

Like all Chryslers, the New Yorker adopted the "Forward Look" design language in 1955. The New Yorkers produced from 1955 to 1962 are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful Mopars out there. Unfortunately, these cars also have a very low survival rate, as many were dumped into junkyards as newer designs became available.

This 1958 convertible is among the rarest New Yorkers of the era. Chrysler sold 17,411 units that year, but only 666 examples rolled off the assembly line as drop-tops. It's the second-rarest New Yorker of 1958, surpassed only by the nine-passenger version of the Town & Country station wagon (428 units).

However, that figure is actually huge compared to the number of convertibles that survived through 2025. It's estimated that only a dozen are still around. This one is also an unrestored survivor, which makes it that much scarcer.

Recently purchased by Mopar enthusiast Mike McCandless, the New Yorker is in surprisingly good condition for a classic that hasn't been refreshed since new (this drop-top is a whopping 67 years old as of 2025).

The light blue paint is obviously weathered, but the sheet metal is remarkably rust-free, a rare feat for classics from the era. The color appears to be Stardust Blue. The New Yorker has a matching interior that's in even better shape than the exterior. Ignore the yellowing on the seats; those are actually transparent seat covers that have changed color over time.

We don't get to see the engine bay, but this area hasn't been altered either, so it houses an original mill. The New Yorker featured a 392-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) FirePower V8 in 1958. Part of Chrysler's first generation of Hemi engines, the 392 delivered a solid 345 horsepower that year. 1958 was the final year for this unit, which was replaced by the wedge-type 413-cubic-inch (6.8-liter) V8 in 1959.

So, how did this New Yorker soldier on for decades without extensive damage? Well, there's only one answer to this question: it was pampered throughout its entire life. It had only one owner since new, and the 57,000-mile (91,733 km) reading on the odo suggests it wasn't driven much either. On top of that, the vehicle has been sitting in storage since 1989.

Our host found notes suggesting that the soft top was replaced, but the Chrysler is otherwise original. Needless to say, it's a proper survivor and a phenomenal time capsule. The current owner, who also has a restored 1958 New Yorker, plans to keep the convertible as is. And that's great news for a survivor in such fabulous condition. You just don't see them like this anymore.